Lateral/vertical transistor structures and process of making and using same

ABSTRACT

A microfluidic device can include a base an outer surface of which forms one or more enclosures for containing a fluidic medium. The base can include an array of individually controllable transistor structures each of which can comprise both a lateral transistor and a vertical transistor. The transistor structures can be light activated, and the lateral and vertical transistors can thus be photo transistors. Each transistor structure can be activated to create a temporary electrical connection from a region of the outer surface of the base (and thus fluidic medium in the enclosure) to a common electrical conductor. The temporary electrical connection can induce a localized electrokinetic force generally at the region, which can be sufficiently strong to move a nearby micro-object in the enclosure.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/089,085, filed Dec. 8, 2014.The foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference into thepresent application in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to microfluidic devices thatinclude a substrate having an optically-actuated electrokineticconfiguration and, in particular, an optically-actuateddielectrophoresis (DEP) configuration.

BACKGROUND

Microfluidic devices can be convenient platforms for processingmicro-objects such as biological cells. Micro-objects in a microfluidicdevice can be selected and moved by selectively generating localizedelectrokinetic forces in the device. Embodiments of the inventionsdisclosed in the present application include improvements to generatingelectrokinetic forces in microfluidic devices.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a microfluidic device includes an enclosure havinga microfluidic structure and a base, which can include a commonelectrical conductor. The microfluidic structure and an outer surface ofthe base together can define a flow path within the enclosure. The basecan include an array of transistor structures each of which can comprisea lateral bipolar transistor connecting a corresponding region of theouter surface of the base to the common conductor. In some embodiments,the microfluidic device can be part of a system that includes controlequipment for controlling operation of the microfluidic device.

In some embodiments, a method of moving a micro-object in a fluidicmedium in a microfluidic device can include providing biasing power tothe biasing electrode and the common electrical conductor of the base.The method can also include activating a first of the transistorstructures at a first of the regions of the outer surface of the base,creating an eletrokinetic force in the vicinity of the activated firsttransistor structure sufficient to move a nearby micro-object in theflow path.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides microfluidic deviceshaving an enclosure that includes a microfluidic structure and a base.The microfluidic structure and an outer surface of the base can togetherdefine a flow path within the enclosure. In certain embodiments, thebase can include a common conductor and an array of transistorstructures, each having a lateral bipolar transistor connecting acorresponding region of the outer surface of the base to the commonconductor. Each transistor structure in the array can further have avertical bipolar transistor connecting the corresponding region of theouter surface of the base.

Each transistor structure in the array can include an emitter region, abase region, and a collector region. In certain embodiments, the baseregion can surround the emitter region, and the collector region cansurround the base region. Each transistor structure in the array can bephysically separated from other transistor structures in the array. Forexample, the transistor structures in the array can be physicallyseparated from other transistor structures in the array by a trench.

In certain embodiments, the emitter region can have a vertical thicknessof about 10 nm to about 500 nm, or about 50 nm to about 150 nm. Incertain embodiments, the emitter region can include an N-type dopant.The N-type dopant of the emitter region can be selected from the groupconsisting of Antimony, Arsenic, and Phosphorus.

In certain embodiments, the base region can have a lateral width that isbetween about 10 nm and about 400 nm (e.g., between about 200 nm andabout 300 nm). In related embodiments, the base region can have avertical thickness equal to or greater than the lateral width of thebase region. For example, the vertical thickness of the base region isabout two to four times greater than the lateral width of the baseregion, or about three to four times greater (e.g., about 3.5 timesgreater) than the lateral width of the base region. The base region caninclude a P-type dopant, such as Boron, Aluminum, Beryllium, Zinc, orCadmium.

In certain embodiments, the collector region can have a lateral widththat is between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm, or between about 600 nmand about 750 nm. In addition, the collector region can have a verticalthickness equal to or greater than the lateral width of the collectorregion. For example, the vertical thickness of the collector region canbe about two to ten times greater than the lateral width of thecollector region, or about four to eight times greater (e.g., about sixtimes greater) than the lateral width of the collector region. Incertain embodiments, the collector region can include an N-type dopant.The N-type dopant can be selected from the group consisting of Antimony,Arsenic, and Phosphorus. In certain embodiments, the collector regioncan have a resistivity of about 5 ohm−cm to about 10 ohm−cm.

In certain embodiments, the vertical thickness of the base region can beabout 6 to 12 times greater than the vertical thickness of the emitterregion. In certain embodiments, the vertical thickness of the collectorregion can be about 3 to 6 times greater than the vertical thickness ofthe base region.

In certain embodiments, the trench can have a vertical depth at least10% greater than the combined vertical depth of the collector, base, andemitter regions. The vertical depth of the trench can be, for example,about 2,000 nm to about 11,000 nm. A lateral width of the trench can beabout 100 nm to about 1000 nm. In certain embodiments, an electricallyinsulative material can be disposed in the trenches.

In certain embodiments, a pitch of the transistor structures of thearray can be about 1000 nm to about 20,000 nm, or about 8000 nm to about12,000 nm, or about 5000 nm to about 10,000 nm.

In certain embodiments, the common conductor can include an N+semiconductor substrate upon which the array of transistor structuresrests. The N+ semiconductor substrate include a dopant selected from thegroup consisting of Antimony, Arsenic, and Phosphorus. In certainembodiments, the N+ silicon substrate can have a resistivity of about0.025 ohm−cm to about 0.050 ohm−cm.

In certain embodiments, a dielectric border can be disposed on the outersurface of the base, between adjacent pairs of transistor structures ofthe array. The border can overlay a perimeter portion of the emitterregion of each transistor structure of the array, with openings (orwindows) exposing an interior portion of the outer side of the emitterregion. The windows of the dielectric border can expose the interiorportions of the outer surfaces of the emitter regions of the transistorstructures of the array to direct contact with fluidic medium in theflow path. In certain embodiments, the dielectric border can have avertical thickness of about 750 nm to about 2,000 nm. In certainembodiments, the dielectric border can overlay a perimeter portion ofthe outer side of the emitter region by about 10 nm to about 200 nm.

In certain embodiments, the microfluidic structure and the base cantogether define a plurality of interconnected fluidic structures, withthe flow path being one of the fluidic structures. The microfluidicstructure and the base together further define at least one holding pen.The holding pen can be connected to the flow path. The flow path caninclude a fluidic channel.

The transistor structures of the array can connect different regions ofthe outer surface of the base to the common conductor, and the regionsof the outer surface of the base can be disposed to contact directlyfluidic medium in the flow path. In certain embodiments, themicrofluidic device can further include a biasing electrode. The flowpath can be disposed between the biasing electrode and the commonelectrical conductor of the base.

In certain embodiments, the base of the microfluidic device comprises afirst section and a second section electrically insulated from the firstsection. The array of transistor structures can be a first array oftransistor structures and a second array of transistor structures, andthe first array of transistor structures can be located in the firstsection of the base and the second array of transistor structure can belocated in the second section of the base. The common conductor can be afirst common conductor that is common to the first array of transistorstructures (e.g., transistor structures of the first section of thebase) but not the second array of transistor structures (e.g.,transistor structures of the second section of the base). The base canfurther include a second common conductor that is common to thetransistor structures of the second section but not the transistorstructures of the first section.

In another aspect, a microfluidic apparatus is provided which has firstand second microfluidic devices, each configured in the manner of any ofthe microfluidic devices described or otherwise disclosed herein. Theenclosure of the first microfluidic device can be separate and distinctfrom the enclosure of the second microfluidic device. The commonelectrical conductor of the first microfluidic device and the commonelectrical conductor of the second microfluidic device can beelectrically connected. Thus, there can be an electrical conductorcommon to the first microfluidic device and the second microfluidicdevice.

In another aspect, a system is provided that includes a microfluidicdevice described or otherwise disclosed herein, and control equipmentfor controlling operation of the microfluidic device. The controlequipment can include a flow controller for controlling a flow offluidic medium in the flow path, and/or a light source, a spatial lightmodulator, and a light path for directing selected patterns of lightinto the enclosure. Alternatively, or in addition, the control equipmentcan include an optical device for capturing images inside the enclosure.The control equipment can include a processor for controlling operationof the microfluidic device.

In another aspect, methods of moving a micro-object in a fluidic mediumin a microfluidic device are provided. The microfluidic device can beany of the microfluidic devices described or otherwise disclosed herein.The methods can include the steps of providing biasing power to amicrofluidic device (e.g., the biasing electrode and the commonelectrical conductor of the base), and activating a first transistorstructure at a first region of the outer surface of the base, therebygenerating an eletrokinetic force in the vicinity of the activated firsttransistor structure sufficient to move a nearby micro-object in theflow path of the microfluidic device. In certain embodiments, activatingthe first transistor structure involves directing a beam of light ontothe base region of the first transistor structure. The beam of light canhave an intensity of about 0.1 W/cm² to about 1000 W/cm².

In certain embodiments, the biasing power provided to the microfluidicdevice has a peak-to-peak voltage of about 1 Vppk to about 50 Vppk. Incertain embodiments, the biasing power has a frequency of about 100 kHzto about 10 MHz. In certain embodiments, the biasing power has a squarewaveform, a sine waveform, or a triangular waveform.

In certain embodiments, activating the first transistor structure caninclude inducing a first current flow in the lateral bipolar transistorof the first transistor structure. The first current flow can induce anon-uniform electric field in the flow path between the activated firsttransistor structure and the biasing electrode, and the non-uniformelectric field can produce the electrokinetic force. The electrokineticforce can repel the nearby micro-object away from the non-uniformelectric field. Thus, the electrokinetic force can move the nearbymicro-object away from the first region of the outer surface of the basethat corresponds to the activated first transistor structure.

In certain embodiments, activating the first transistor structure caninclude inducing a second current flow in the vertical bipolartransistor of the activated first transistor structure. The secondcurrent flow can enhance the electrokinetic force. For example, thesecond current flow can increase the magnitude of the electrokineticforce by at least 25%. In certain embodiments, a current density of thefirst current flow in the lateral transistor can be at least 1.5 timesgreater than a current density of the second current flow in thevertical transistor of the activated first transistor structure.

In certain embodiments, the micro-object can be a bead, such as apolystyrene bead or a glass bead. The bead can have a diameter of about1 μm to about 50 μm. In certain embodiments, the micro-object can be abiological cell. The cell can be selected from the group consisting ofSP2, HeLa, embryo, sperm, oocytes, and jurkat cells.

In certain embodiments, the fluidic medium in the flow path of themicrofluidic device can be selected from the group consisting of PBS,RPMI, or DMEM. The fluidic medium in the flow path of the microfluidicdevice can have an electrical conductivity of about 10 mS/m to about 2S/m.

In certain embodiments, the methods include maintaining a temperature ofthe fluidic medium in the flow path. The temperature can be maintainedat about 5° C. to about 55° C.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a microfluidic device configured forselective generation of localized electrokinetic forces inside thedevice according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, cross-sectional partial view of an exampleconfiguration of the base of the device of FIG. 1 according to someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a side, cross sectional view of the base of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a top view of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is the top view of FIG. 3B without border structures.

FIG. 4 is the side, cross-section view of FIG. 3A in which variousdimensions are labeled.

FIG. 5 is a side, cross-sectional view of multiple microfluidic devicesthat share the same common electrical conductor according to someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side, cross-sectional view of a microfluidic devicecomprising multiple electrical conductors common to different sectionsof the device according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side, cross-sectional partial view of a microfluidic devicecomprising the base of FIG. 2 and illustrating an example of selectivelymoving a micro-object in the device according to some embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is an example of a process for moving a micro-object asillustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an example of a process for making the base of FIG. 2according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 10, 11, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B and 14 to 16 illustrate intermediatestructures formed by the process of FIG. 9 according to some embodimentsof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

This specification describes exemplary embodiments and applications ofthe invention. The invention, however, is not limited to these exemplaryembodiments and applications or to the manner in which the exemplaryembodiments and applications operate or are described herein. Moreover,the figures may show simplified or partial views, and the dimensions ofelements in the figures may be exaggerated or otherwise not inproportion. In addition, as the terms “on,” “attached to,” “connectedto,” “coupled to,” or similar words are used herein, one element (e.g.,a material, a layer, a substrate, etc.) can be “on,” “attached to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element regardless of whetherthe one element is directly on, attached to, connected to, or coupled tothe other element or there are one or more intervening elements betweenthe one element and the other element. Also, directions (e.g., above,below, top, bottom, side, up, down, under, over, upper, lower,horizontal, vertical, “x,” “y,” “z,” etc.), if provided, are relativeand provided solely by way of example and for ease of illustration anddiscussion and not by way of limitation. In addition, where reference ismade to a list of elements (e.g., elements a, b, c), such reference isintended to include any one of the listed elements by itself, anycombination of less than all of the listed elements, and/or acombination of all of the listed elements.

As used herein, “substantially,” “generally,” or “about” meanssufficient to work for the intended purpose. The terms “substantially,”“generally,” or “about” thus allow for minor, insignificant variationsfrom an absolute or perfect state, dimension, measurement, result, orthe like such as would be expected by a person of ordinary skill in thefield but that do not appreciably affect overall performance. When usedwith respect to numerical values or parameters or characteristics thatcan be expressed as numerical values, “substantially” or “generally”means within ten percent. The term “ones” means more than one. The term“disposed” encompasses within its meaning “located.”

As used herein with regard to numerical values, dimensions, orparameters, the following abbreviations are defined as noted: “nm” meansnanometer; “μm” means micrometer; “W/cm” means watts per centimeter;“W/cm²” means watts per square centimeter; “kHz” means kilohertz; “MHz”means megahertz; “Vppk” means voltage peak-to-peak; and “mS/m meansmillisiemens per meter. The symbol “/” means mathematical division.

As used herein, a “microfluidic device” or “microfluidic apparatus” is adevice that includes one or more discrete microfluidic circuitsconfigured to hold a fluid, each microfluidic circuit comprised offluidically interconnected circuit elements, including but not limitedto region(s), flow path(s), channel(s), chamber(s), and/or pen(s).Certain microfluidic devices (e.g., those that include a cover) willfurther include at least two ports configured to allow the fluid (and,optionally, micro-objects or droplets present in the fluid) to flow intoand/or out of the microfluidic device. Some microfluidic circuits of amicrofluidic device will include at least one microfluidic channeland/or at least one chamber. Some microfluidic circuits will hold avolume of fluid of less than about 1 mL, e.g., less than about 750, 500,250, 200, 150, 100, 75, 50, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2μL. In certain embodiments, the microfluidic circuit holds about 1-2,1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 2-5, 2-8, 2-10, 2-12, 2-15, 2-20, 5-20, 5-30, 5-40, 5-50,10-50, 10-75, 10-100, 20-100, 20-150, 20-200, 50-200, 50-250, or 50-300μL.

As used herein, a “nanofluidic device” or “nanofluidic apparatus” is atype of microfluidic device having a microfluidic circuit that containsat least one circuit element configured to hold a volume of fluid ofless than about 1 μL, e.g., less than about 750, 500, 250, 200, 150,100, 75, 50, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 nL or less.Typically, a nanofluidic device will comprise a plurality of circuitelements (e.g., at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75,100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000,2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10,000, ormore). In certain embodiments, one or more (e.g., all) of the at leastone circuit elements is configured to hold a volume of fluid of about100 pL to 1 nL, 100 pL to 2 nL, 100 pL to 5 nL, 250 pL to 2 nL, 250 pLto 5 nL, 250 pL to 10 nL, 500 pL to 5 nL, 500 pL to 10 nL, 500 pL to 15nL, 750 pL to 10 nL, 750 pL to 15 nL, 750 pL to 20 nL, 1 to 10 nL, 1 to15 nL, 1 to 20 nL, 1 to 25 nL, or 1 to 50 nL. In other embodiments, oneor more (e.g., all) of the at least one circuit elements is configuredto hold a volume of fluid of about 100 to 200 nL, 100 to 300 nL, 100 to400 nL, 100 to 500 nL, 200 to 300 nL, 200 to 400 nL, 200 to 500 nL, 200to 600 nL, 200 to 700 nL, 250 to 400 nL, 250 to 500 nL, 250 to 600 nL,or 250 to 750 nL.

A “microfluidic channel” or “flow channel” as used herein refers to flowregion of a microfluidic device having a length that is significantlylonger than the horizontal dimension (and vertical dimension, if themicrofluidic device includes a cover). For example, the flow channel canbe at least 5 times the length of either the horizontal (or vertical)dimension, e.g., at least 10 times the length, at least 25 times thelength, at least 100 times the length, at least 200 times the length, atleast 500 times the length, at least 1,000 times the length, at least5,000 times the length, or longer. In some embodiments, the length of aflow channel is in the range of from about 100,000 microns to about500,000 microns, including any range therebetween. In some embodiments,the horizontal dimension is in the range of from about 100 microns toabout 1000 microns (e.g., about 150 to about 500 microns) and, ifpresent, the vertical dimension is in the range of from about 25 micronsto about 200 microns, e.g., from about 40 to about 150 microns. It isnoted that a flow channel may have a variety of different spatialconfigurations in a microfluidic device, and thus is not restricted to aperfectly linear element. For example, a flow channel may be, or includeone or more sections having, the following configurations: curve, bend,spiral, incline, decline, fork (e.g., multiple different flow paths),and any combination thereof. In addition, a flow channel may havedifferent cross-sectional areas along its path, widening andconstricting to provide a desired fluid flow therein.

In some embodiments, a microfluidic device can comprise a base having anouter surface that is part of one or more enclosures for containing afluidic medium. The base can comprise an array of individuallycontrollable transistor structures each of which can comprise a lateraltransistor and a vertical transistor, both of which can be phototransistors. Each transistor structure can be activated to create atemporary electrical connection from a region of the outer surface ofthe base (and thus fluidic medium in the enclosure) to a commonelectrical conductor. The temporary electrical connection can induce alocalized electrokinetic force generally at the region, which can besufficiently strong to move a nearby micro-object in the enclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a microfluidic system comprising amicrofluidic device 100 and a control and monitoring system 170. Themicrofluidic device 100 can comprise one or more enclosures 102, whichcan comprise one or more microfluidic circuit elements 104 (e.g., amicrofluidic channel 142 and microfluidic chambers 144). The enclosure102 and thus the microfluidic circuit elements 104 can be configured tocontain one or more fluidic media (not show). For example, the media(not shown) can be disposed on an inner surface 112 of the enclosure102. The microfluidic circuit elements 104 can be interconnected to formone or more microfluidic circuits. As shown, the inner surface 112 ofthe enclosure 102 can comprise electrokinetic elements configured toinduce selectively localized electrokinetic forces sufficiently strongto move micro-objects (not shown) in the enclosure 102. An example of anelectrokinetic force is a dielectrophoresis (DEP) force.

Although the enclosure 102 can be configured in a variety of ways, theenclosure 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as comprising anelectrokinetic-configured base 110 (hereinafter referred to as an“EK-configured base”), a microfluidic structure 140, and a cover 150.The base 110, the microfluidic structure 140, and the cover 150 can beattached to each other. For example, the microfluidic structure 140 canbe disposed on the base 110, and the cover 150 can be disposed over themicrofluidic structure 140. The base 110, the microfluidic structure140, and the cover 150 can define the enclosure 102 and thus themicrofluidic circuit elements 104. One or more ports 152 can provide aninlet into and/or an outlet from the enclosure 102. There can be morethan one port 152, each of which can be an inlet, an outlet, or aninlet/outlet port. Alternatively, there can be one port 152, which canbe an inlet/outlet port. The port or ports 152 can comprise, forexample, a through passage, a valve, or the like.

The EK-configured base 110 can comprise a substrate or a plurality ofsubstrates, which may be interconnected. For example, the EK-configuredbase 110 can comprise one or more semiconductor substrates. TheEK-configured base 110 can further comprise a printed circuit boardassembly (“PCBA”). For example, the substrate(s) can be mounted on aPCBA. As noted, the microfluidic structure 140 can be disposed on thebase 110. The inner surface 112 of the enclosure 102 can comprise anouter surface of the base 110, which can thus provide some of the walls(e.g., floor walls) of the enclosure 102 and thus the microfluidiccircuit elements 104. The surface 112 can comprise electrokineticelements 114, which can be individually controllable to selectivelyinduce localized electrokinetic forces on micro-objects (not shown) inthe enclosure 102. As will be seen, each electrokinetic element 114 cancomprise a transistor structure that comprises both a lateral and avertical transistor, both of which can be photo transistors. Themicrofluidic device 100 can comprise biasing electrodes 160, 162 towhich a biasing power source 164 can be connected for powering theelectrokinetic elements 114. The enclosure 102 can be disposed directlybetween the biasing electrodes 160, 162 as shown. The biasing electrodes160, 162 can each comprise one or more electrical conductors (e.g.,electrically conductive plates, traces, or the like). The electricalconductors/conductive plates of the biasing electrodes 160, 162 can beindividually addressable. The individually addressableconductors/conductive plates can be electrically connected to differentregions of the EK-configured base 110, thereby providing anEK-configured base 110 having discrete EK-configured regions. Forexample, for EK-configured bases 110 that comprise a plurality ofsubstrates, each substrate can be electrically connected to a singleindividually addressable conductive plate of the biasing electrode 162.The individually addressable conductors/conductive plates can beconnectable to one or more AC voltage sources via correspondingtransistor switches.

The microfluidic structure 140 can comprise cavities or the like thatprovide some of the walls of the enclosure 102 and thus the microfluidiccircuit elements 104. For example, the microfluidic structure 140 canprovide sidewalls of the microfluidic circuit elements 104. Themicrofluidic structure 140 can comprise a flexible and/or resilientmaterial such as rubber, plastic, elastomer, silicone (e.g.,phote-patternable silicone or “PPS”), polydimethylsiloxane (“PDMS”), orthe like, any of which can be gas permeable. Other examples of materialsthat can compose the microfluidic structure 140 include rigid materialssuch as molded glass, an etchable material such as silicon, photoresist(e.g., SU8), or the like. The foregoing materials can be substantiallyimpermeable to gas. Examples of the microfluidic circuit elements 104illustrated in FIG. 1 include a microfluidic channel 142 (an example ofa flow path) to which microfluidic chambers 144 (e.g., holding pens) arefluidically connected. Other examples of microfluidic circuit elements104 include microfluidic reservoirs (not shown), microfluidic wells (notshown), and the like.

The cover 150 can be disposed on the microfluidic structure 140 and canprovide some of the walls (e.g., ceiling walls) of the enclosure 102 andthus the microfluidic circuit elements 104. In some embodiments, thecover 150 can comprise a substantially rigid material. The one or moreports 152 can provide one or more passages through the biasing electrode162 and the cover 150 into the enclosure 102. Fluidic media (not shown)can thus be input into or extracted from the enclosure 102 through theport(s) 152. Although the cover 150 is disposed above the microfluidicstructure 140 in FIG. 1, the foregoing orientation can be different. Forexample, the base 110 can be disposed above the microfluidic structure140, which can be above the cover 150.

FIG. 1 also illustrates an example of a control and monitoring system170 for controlling and monitoring the microfluidic device 100. Asshown, the system 170 can comprise a controller 172 andcontrol/monitoring equipment 178. Although shown separately in FIG. 1,the controllable light projection system 180 can be considered part ofthe control/monitoring equipment 178. The controller 172 can beconfigured to control and monitor the device 100 directly and/or throughthe control/monitoring equipment 178.

The controller 172 can comprise a digital processor 174 and a digitalmemory 176. The processor 174 can be, for example, a digital processor,computer, or the like, and the digital memory 176 can be a digitalmemory for storing data and machine executable instructions (e.g.,software, firmware, microcode, or the like) as non-transitory data orsignals. The processor 174 can be configured to operate in accordancewith such machine executable instructions stored in the memory 176.Alternatively or in addition, the processor 174 can comprise hardwireddigital circuitry and/or analog circuitry. The controller 172 can thusbe configured to perform any process (e.g., process 800 of FIG. 8), stepof such a process, function, act, or the like discussed herein. Thecontroller 172 or any part of the controller 172 is sometimes referredto herein as a “circuit” or “circuits” regardless of whether theprocessor 174 is configured to operate in accordance with machineexecutable instructions stored in the memory 176 and/or compriseshardwired digital logic circuitry and/or analog circuitry.

The controllable light projection system 180 can comprise a light source(e.g., a Mercury lamp such as a high pressure Mercury lamp, a Xenon arclamp, or the like), a spatial light modulator (e.g., a digital mirrordevice (DMD), a microshutter array system (MSA), a transmissive liquidcrystal display (LCD), a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device, aferroelectric liquid crystal on silicon device (FLCOS), a scanning laserdevice, or the like), and a light path (e.g., an optical train) fordirecting selected patterns of light into the enclosure 102. Forexample, the controller 172 can cause the light projection system 180 toproject changing patterns of light into the enclosure 102.

In addition to comprising a controllable light projection system 180,the control/monitoring equipment 178 can comprise any of a number ofdifferent types of equipment for controlling or monitoring themicrofluidic device 100 and processes performed with the microfluidicdevice 100. For example, the equipment 178 can include power sources(not shown) for providing power to the microfluidic device 100; fluidicmedia sources (not shown) for providing fluidic media for or receivingfluidic media from the microfluidic device 100; a flow controller (notshown) for controlling a flow of media in the enclosure 102; imagecapture mechanisms (not shown) such as an optical device (not shown) forcapturing images (e.g., of micro-objects) inside the enclosure 102;stimulation mechanisms (not shown) for directing energy into theenclosure 102 to stimulate reactions; or the like.

All or parts of the enclosure 102 can be disposed between the electrodes160, 162. For example, as shown, the biasing electrode 160 can bedisposed on the cover 150, and the biasing electrode 162 can be disposedon the base 110. Examples of the biasing power source 164 include analternating current (AC) power source. FIGS. 2-4 illustrate an example200 configuration of the EK-configured base 110 of FIG. 1 in which theelectrokinetic elements 114 are implemented as transistor structures 206each comprising a lateral transistor 252 and a vertical transistor 254.The EK-configured base 200 can thus replace the base 110 in FIG. 1and/or any discussion herein. The outer surface 214 of the base 200 inFIG. 2 is equivalent to the inner surface 112 of the enclosure 102 inFIG. 1. Fluidic medium (not shown) in the enclosure 102 can thus bedirectly on the outer surface 214 of the base 200 and thus in directcontact with features of the outer surface 214 such as the border 210and regions 202 of the surface 214 exposed by the openings 208 in theborder 210. In FIG. 2, the EK-configured base 200 is shown disposed onbiasing electrode 162.

As shown, the EK-configured base 200 can comprise an array of transistorstructures 206 each of which can be activated to selectively connect adistinct region 202 of the outer surface 214 of the base 200 to a commonconductor (e.g., a support substrate 204 and/or the biasing electrode162). As will be seen, this can temporarily create generally above theregion 202 a localized electrokinetic force in fluidic media (not shown)disposed on the outer surface 214 in the enclosure 102. Disposed in theenclosure 102, such media (not shown) can be in direct contact with theregion 202. Although the array of transistor structures 206 isillustrated in FIG. 2 as being in a regular pattern of rows and columns,the transistor structures 206 can be disposed in other patternsincluding irregular patterns. The array of transistor structures 206 canthus be a regular or an irregular array.

The transistor structures 206 can be disposed (e.g., rest) on a supportlayer 204. A dielectric border layer 210 and electrically insulatingbarriers 212 can physically separate the transistor structures 206. Theborder layer 210 can be disposed on and thus be considered part of theouter surface 214. The border layer 210 can provide an outer dielectricborder between adjacent transistor structures 206 but also provideopenings 208 to the transistor structures 206 individually. The barriers212 can extend from the border layer 210 into the support layer 204 andphysically separate adjacent transistor structures 206 within the base200. As shown, the openings 208 can be sized so that the border layer210 overlaps an outer perimeter of the outer side 246 of the emitterregion 240 of a transistor structure 206. Hereinafter, the portions ofthe border layer 210 that overlaps a perimeter portion of the emitterregion 240 are referred to as an overlap and labeled 256 in FIG. 3A. Theborder layer 210 can comprise a dielectric material examples of whichinclude silicon oxide. The barriers 212 can comprise an electricallyinsulating material.

As best seen in FIGS. 3A-3C, each transistor structure 206 can comprisean emitter region 240, a base region 230, and a collector region 220.The emitter region 240 can be disposed in the base region 230, which canbe disposed in the collector region 220 as shown. The barriers 212 canextend from the border structure 210 sufficiently into the base 200 tophysically separate the emitter region 240, base region 230, andcollector region 220 of one transistor structure 206 from the emitterregion 240, base region 230, and collector region 220 of adjacenttransistor structures 206.

As shown, the emitter region 240 can comprise an outer side 246 thatcomprises part of the outer surface 214, an inner side 244 that isopposite the outer side 246, and vertical sides 242. The regions 202 ofthe outer surface 214 of the base 200 can be the interior portions ofthe outer side 246 of the emitter region 240 exposed by the openings 208in the border 210.

The base region 230 and the collector region 220 can comprise lateralportions 232, 222 and vertical portions 234, 224. The lateral portion232 of the base region 230 can be disposed between a lateral side 242 ofthe emitter region 240 and the lateral portion 222 of the collectorregion 220 as illustrated in FIG. 3A. The lateral portion 222 of thecollector region 220 can be disposed between the lateral portion 232 andthe vertical portion 234 of the base region 230 and the barriers 212that separate the transistor structure 206 from adjacent transistorstructures 206.

The vertical portion 234 of the base region 230 can be disposed betweenthe inner side 244 of the emitter region 240 and the vertical portion224 of the collector region 220. The vertical portion 224 of thecollector region 220 can similarly be disposed between the verticalportion 234 of the base region 230 and the supporting layer 204.

Each transistor structure 206 can comprise multiple transistors. Forexample, a transistor structure 206 can comprise a lateral transistor252 (e.g., a bipolar junction transistor) comprising the emitter region240, the lateral portion 232 of the base region 230, and the lateralportion 222 of the collector region 220. The foregoing lateraltransistor 252 can, when activated, provide a lateral conduction path270 from the outer side 246 (and thus a region 202 of the outer surface214 of the base 200) of the emitter region 240 to the support layer 204and biasing electrode 162 as follows: the lateral conduction path 270can be from the outer side 246 of the emitter region 240 through alateral side 242 of the emitter region 240, into and through the lateralportion 232 of the base region 230, into and through the lateral portion222 of the collector region 220, then into and through the verticalportion 224 of the collector region 220 to the support layer 204, andthrough the support layer 204 to the biasing electrode 162.

The transistor structure 206 can also comprise a vertical junctiontransistor 254 (e.g., another bipolar junction transistor), which cancomprise the emitter region 240, the vertical portion 234 of the baseregion 230, and the vertical portion 224 of the collector region 220.The foregoing vertical transistor 254 can, when activated, provide avertical conduction path 272 from the region 202 of the outer surface214 of the base 200 comprising the outer side 246 of the emitter region240 to the support layer 204 and biasing electrode 162 as follows: thevertical conduction path 272 can be from the outer side 246 of theemitter region 240 through to the inner side 244 of the emitter region,into and through the vertical portion 234 of the base region 230, intoand through the vertical portion 224 of the collector region 220, theninto and through the support layer 204 to the biasing electrode 162.Thus, a transistor structure 206, when activated, can provide a lateralconduction path 270 through a lateral transistor 252 and a verticalconduction path 272 through a vertical transistor 254 from a region 202of the outer surface 214 of the base 200 comprising the outer side 246of the emitter region 240 to the support layer 204 and the biasingelectrode 162. As will be seen, the support layer 204 and the biasingelectrode 162 can be electrically conductive and either or both can thusbe examples of a common conductor.

The base 200 can comprise a semiconductor substrate. For example, thebase 200 can comprise a silicon substrate, a gallium arsenide substrate,or the like. The support layer 204, the collector regions 220, the baseregions 230, and the emitter regions 240 can comprise doped regions ofthe semiconductor substrate. For example, the support layer 204, thecollector regions 220, and the emitter regions 240 can be doped with afirst type of dopant, and the base regions 230 can be doped with anopposite type of dopant. Thus, for example, the support layer 204, thecollector regions 220, and the emitter regions 240 can be doped with anN dopant, and the base regions 230 can be doped with a P dopant. Asanother example, the support layer 204, the collector regions 220, andthe emitter regions 240 can be doped with a P dopant, and the baseregions 230 can be doped with an N dopant.

Regions that are doped with the same type of dopant can nevertheless bedoped with different concentrations of the dopant. For example, one ormore of the support layer 204, the collector regions 220, and/or theemitter regions 240 can be doped as a so called N⁺ region while theother or others of those regions are doped as N regions, where ⁺ denotesa greater concentration of the N dopant. Similarly, if the support layer204, the collector regions 220, and the emitter regions 240 are P doped,one or more of those regions can be doped as a P⁺ region. Furthermore,as persons skilled in the art will understand, N+ and N-doped regionscan comprise P dopants, provided that the N dopants are of greaterabundance than the P dopants and dominate the overall electricalcharacteristics of the region. Similarly, P+ and P-doped regions cancomprise N dopants, provided that the P dopants are of greater abundancethan the N dopants and dominate the overall electrical characteristicsof the region. The N dopant can be any source of negative carriers(e.g., electrons). Examples of suitable N or N⁺ dopants includePhosphorus, Arsenic, Antimony, and the like. The P dopant can be anysource of positive carriers (e.g., holes). Examples of suitable P or P⁺dopants include Boron, Aluminum, Beryllium, Zinc, Cadmium, Indium, orthe like.

The support layer 204 can be heavily doped and thus, for example, be anN⁺ region with a resistivity between about 0.025 ohm−cm and about 0.050ohm−cm. The collector regions 220 and/or the emitter regions 240 can beless heavily doped and thus, for example, can be N regions with aresistivity of between about 5 ohm−cm to about 10 ohm−cm. Alternatively,the emitter region 240 can be heavily doped. For example, the dopingdensity of the emitter region 240 can be in the range of about 10¹⁸ cm⁻³to about 10²¹ cm⁻³. The doping density of the base regions 230 can be inthe range of about 10¹⁶ cm⁻³ to about 10¹⁸ cm⁻³. The foregoing numericalvalues and ranges are provided only as examples but are not intended tobe limiting.

FIG. 4 identifies certain dimensions of the base 200. Examples ofsuitable sizes of the illustrated dimensions include the following. Athickness 402 of the border 210 can be between about 750 nm and about2,000 nm, or about 750 nm and about 850 nm. A length 404 of the overlay256 of the border 210 over the perimeter of the emitter region 240 canbe between about 10 nm and about 200 nm. A width 406 of the lateralportion 222 of a collector region 220 can be as follows: between about100 nm and about 1,000 nm; or between about 600 nm and about 750 nm. Awidth 410 of the lateral portion 232 of the base region 230 can bebetween about 10 nm and about 400 nm; or between about 200 nm and about300 nm. A thickness 434 of an emitter region 240 can be as follows:between about 10 nm and about 500 nm; or between about 50 nm and about150 nm. A thickness 430 of the vertical portion 234 of the base region230 can be any of the following with respect to the width 410 of thelateral portion 232: greater than or equal; two to four times greater;three to four times greater; or 3.5 times greater. The thickness 426 ofthe vertical portion 224 of the collector region 220 can be any of thefollowing with respect to the width 406 of the lateral portion 222:greater than or equal; two to ten times greater; four to eight timesgreater; or six times greater. The thickness 430 of the vertical portion234 of the base region 230 can be six to twelve times greater than thethickness 434 of the emitter region 440. The thickness 426 of thevertical portion 224 of the collector region 220 can be three to sixtimes greater than the thickness 430 of the vertical portion 234 of thebase region 230. The foregoing numerical values and ranges are providedonly as examples but are not intended to be limiting.

A vertical length 414 of a barrier 212 from the border 210 into the base200 can be as follows: between about 2,000 nm and about 11,000 nm; or atleast 10% greater than the combined thicknesses 434, 430, 426 of theemitter region 240, the vertical portion 234 of the base region 230, andthe vertical portion 224 of the collector region 220. A pitch 418 of thebarriers 212 (e.g., the distance between vertical center axes ofadjacent barriers 212), which is also the pitch of the transistorstructures 206 can be as follows: between about 1,000 nm and about20,000 nm; between about 8,000 nm and about 12,000 nm; or between about5,000 nm and about 10,000 nm. A width 422 of a barrier 212 can bebetween about 100 nm and about 1,000 nm. The foregoing numerical valuesand ranges are provided only as examples but are not intended to belimiting.

The EK-configured base 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 is an example andvariations are contemplated. For example, in one or more of thetransistor structures 206, the region 240 can be a collector region andregion 220 can be an emitter region. As another example, one or both ofthe lateral transistor 252 and/or the vertical transistor 254 can be atype of transistor other than a junction transistor. For example, one orboth of the lateral transistor 252 and/or the vertical transistor 254can be a field effect transistor. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate examples ofadditional variations.

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of microfluidic devices 502, 504 (two are shownbut there can be more) each of which can be like the device 100 of FIG.1, with the base 200 of FIGS. 2-4 replacing base 110. As shown, themicrofluidic devices 502, 504 can be distinct and separate from eachother but share the same common electrical connector 512, which canotherwise be like the biasing electrode 162 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 depicts a microfluidic device 600 comprising a base 602comprising a plurality of sections 604, 606 that are electricallyinsulated one from another. A first section 604 of the base 602 can belike the base 200 of FIGS. 2-4, comprising an array of transistorstructures 206 separated by barriers 212. A second section 606 cansimilarly be like the base 200, comprising another array of transistorstructures 206 separated by other barriers 212. Although the sections604, 606 are part of the same base 602, the sections 604, 606 can beelectrically insulated from each other, for example, by an electricallyinsulating separator 608. As shown, the first section 604 can comprise afirst common electrical conductor 612 that is connected and thus commonto the transistor structures 206 of the first section 604 but not thetransistor structures 206 of the second section 606. Similarly, thesecond section 606 can comprise a second common electrical conductor 614that is connected and thus common to the transistor structures 206 ofthe second section 606 but not the transistor structures 206 of thefirst section 604.

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial, cross-sectional side view of the device100 of FIG. 1 in which the EK-configured base 200 of FIGS. 2-4 replacesthe base 110. A micro-object 702 is shown disposed in a fluidic medium742 in the channel 142. As shown, one of the transistor structures 206 bcan be activated, turning on its lateral transistor 252 and verticaltransistor 254. This can result in a lateral current flow 724 along thelateral current path 270 (shown in FIG. 3A) and a vertical current flow722 along the vertical current path 272 (also shown in FIG. 3A). Thiscan induce a localized non-uniform electric field 714 between thebiasing electrode 160 and the outer side 246 of the emitter region 240of the activated transistor structure 206 b. The non-uniform electricfield 714 can create a localized electrokinetic force 706 (e.g., a DEPforce) in the enclosure generally above the region 202 of the surface214 of the base 200 that corresponds to the outer side 246 of theactivated transistor structure 206 b.

The combination of both the lateral current flow 724 and the verticalcurrent flow 722 can enhance the strength of the electrokinetic force706 beyond the force that would be created by only one of the currentflows 722, 724. It is believed that the lateral current flow 724 canincrease the electrokinetic force 706 by at least 5%, at least 10%, atleast 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, atleast 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, atleast 65%, or more over the electrokinetic force that would be createdby only the vertical current. In some embodiments, the lateral currentflow 724 can be at least 1.5 times greater than the vertical currentflow 722.

The force 706 created by the non-uniform electric field 714 can be arepelling force (as illustrated in FIG. 7), which can be sufficientlystrong to push a nearby micro-object 702 away from the activatedtransistor structure 206 b, for example, to an unactivated transistorstructure 206 a. Alternatively, although not shown in FIG. 7, the force706 created by the non-uniform electric field 714 can be an attractiveforce that pulls the micro-object 702 to the non-uniform electric field714. Whether the force 706 is a repelling or an attractive force candepend on a number of parameters including the conductivity of themedium 742; the frequency of the biasing power (e.g., provided by thebiasing power source 164 (see FIG. 1)); and/or the like.

The transistor structures 206 can be configured to be activated in anyof a number of ways. For example, a transistor structure 206 can beactivated by activating its base region 230, which can cause the currentflows 722, 724 discussed above. In some embodiments, the transistorstructures 206 can be photo transistor structures configured to beactivated by a beam of light directed onto the base region 230. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the transistor structure 206 b can beactivated by directing a beam of light 712 onto the lateral portion 232of its base region 230. Alternatively, or in addition, the transistorstructure 206 b can be activated by directing a beam of light (notshown) onto the vertical portion 234 of its base region 230. The biasingelectrode 160 and cover 150 can be substantially transparent to lightand/or position to provide a path for the light beam (e.g., 712). Athickness of the border 210 can be sufficiently thin to allow the lightbeam 712 to penetrate to the lateral portion 232 of the base region 230,and/or the thickness of the emitter region 240 can be sufficiently thinto allow the light beam to penetrate to the vertical portion 234 of thebase region 230. Examples of suitable thicknesses of the border 210 andemitter region 240 are provided above.

As also shown in FIG. 7, in the absence of a light beam, a transistorstructure 206 a is not activated. The transistor structures 206 in anarray of transistor structures 206 can thus be individually activatedand deactivated by directing individual light beams 712 onto the baseregions 230 of the transistor structures 206 and then removing the lightbeams 712. As noted above, the controller 172 can control and change thepattern of light directed by the controllable light projection system180 into the enclosure 102 and thus control and change activation ofindividual and patterns of the EK elements 114 configured like thetransistor structures 206 shown in FIG. 7.

Alternatively, one or more of the transistor structures 206 can beconfigured to be activated in ways other than light. For example,individual electrical leads (not shown) can be provided to the baseregion 230 of one or more of the transistor structures 206, which canthus be activated by applying an activating signal through the lead tothe base region 230 and deactivated by removing the activating signal.

FIG. 8 is an example of a process 800 for moving a micro-object (like702) from one transistor structure 206 to another transistor structure206. At step 802, a transistor structure is activated. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 7, transistor structure 206 b can be activated(e.g., with a light beam 712) as discussed above. At step 804, theactivated transistor structure (e.g., 206 b in FIG. 7) induces lateraland vertical current flows (e.g., 722, 724 in FIG. 7), which creates alocalized non-uniform electric field (e.g., 714) generally above theactivated transistor structure. At step 806, the non-uniform electricfield can induce an electrokinetic force (e.g., 706 in FIG. 7) on anearby micro-object sufficient to move the micro-object 702 to or awayfrom the force, also as discussed above. For example, as shown in FIG.7, the force 706 can be a repelling force that pushes the micro-object702 away from the activated transistor structure 206 b to an adjacentunactivated transistor structure 206 a.

As noted, the electrokinetic elements 114 in FIG. 1 can each beconfigured as a transistor structure 206. A micro-object (e.g., like 702in FIG. 7) can be moved from electrokinetic element 114 toelectrokinetic element 114 by repeating steps 802-806 to selectivelyactivate and deactivate ones of the electrokinetic elements 114 in apattern that moves the micro-object 702 in the enclosure 102 as desired.Although not shown, a pattern of electrokinetic elements 114 can besimultaneously activated to push the micro-object in a desireddirection.

The micro-object 702 can be any type of inanimate or biologicalmicro-object. For example, the micro-object 702 can be a microbead(e.g., a polystyrene bead or a glass bead, between about 1 μm and about50 μm in diameter), a microrod, or the like. Examples of biologicalmicro-objects include cells, such as SP2, HeLa, or jurkat cells, and thelike, and embryos, sperm, oocytes, and the like.

In some embodiments, the fluidic medium 742 can have an electricalconductivity between about 10 mS/m and about 2 S/m. Examples of thefluidic medium include saline solutions (e.g., PBS and the like) andcell culture medium (e.g., RPMI DMEM, and the like). Process 800 caninclude maintaining the medium 742 at a temperature between about 5° C.and about 55° C.

Examples of biasing power that can be provided by the biasing powersource 164 to the biasing electrodes 160, 162 include the following.Alternating current (AC) biasing power having a peak-to-peak voltagebetween about 1 Vppk and about 50 Vppk and/or a frequency between about100 kHz and about 10 MHz. The biasing power can be a square waveform, asine waveform, or a triangular waveform. The beam of light 712 can havean intensity between about 0.1 W/cm² and about 1000 W/cm².

Process 900 of FIG. 9 illustrate an example of making the EK-configuredbase 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. FIGS. 10-16 show examples ofintermediate structures produced during the process 900.

At step 902, the process 900 can obtain a semiconductor substratecomprising a doped support layer. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of asemiconductor substrate 1000 comprising a doped support layer 1002. Anouter surface of the substrate 1000 is labeled 1006 in FIGS. 10-16. Thesemiconductor substrate 1000 can comprise any of the semiconductormaterials identified above for the base 200. As will be seen, the dopedsupport layer 1002 can be the basis for the support layer 204 in thebase 200 and can thus be doped with any of the materials and inaccordance with any of the parameters identified above for the supportlayer 204. Alternatively, the substrate 1000 can be obtained at step 902without the doped support layer 1002, which can be formed during orafter performing the process 900.

At step 904, the process 900 can form a collector doped layer in thesubstrate, which can be doped with a same type of dopant as the dopedsupport layer. FIG. 11 shows an example of a doped collector layer 1102formed in the substrate 1000 immediately adjacent to the doped supportlayer 1002. The collector doped layer 1102 can be doped with any of thematerials and in accordance with any of the parameters identified abovefor the collector regions 220.

At step 906, the process 900 can form the electrically insulatingbarriers 212 (see FIGS. 2-4) in the substrate obtained at step 902. Asillustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, trenches 1202 can be formed in thesubstrate 1000 from the outer surface 1006 through the collector dopedlayer 1102 and into the doped support layer 1002. Portions of thesubstrate 1000 enclosed by (e.g., surrounded by) a trench 1202 define atransistor structure site 1206 where a transistor structure 206 (seeFIGS. 2-4) is to be formed. The trenches 1202 can thus be formed aroundlocations in the substrate 1000 where transistor structures 206 aredesired. The trenches 1202 can be filled with an electrically insulatingmaterial 1204 as also shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

At step 908, the process 900 can form a mask on the substrate withopenings at the transistor structure sites. FIGS. 13A and 13B illustratean example in which a mask 1302 with opening 1304 is formed on thesurface 1006 of the substrate 1000. As shown, the mask 1302 can have athickness 1312, and each opening 1304 can be smaller than itscorresponding transistor structure site 1206 so that the mask 1302overlaps and extends from the trenches 1202 into the transistorstructure site 1206 by a distance 1306. In FIGS. 13A and 13B, dimensionsof the opening 1304 are labeled 1314, 1316.

As will be seen, the mask 1302 functions as a mask through which thebase regions 230 and emitter regions 240 of the transistor structures206 will be formed at each transistor site 1206. In some embodiments,the foregoing is the only function of the mask 1302, which is thenremoved after performing steps 910, 912. In other embodiments, the mask1302 is also the border 210. In such embodiments, the mask 1302 cancomprise any of the materials and can have any of the dimensions andparameters identified above for the border 210. The mask 1302 can beformed at step 908 with such dimensions and parameters. Alternatively,the mask 1302 can be formed at step 908 with different parameters andthen modified after performing steps 910, 912 to have the desireddimensions and parameters of the border 210. For example, the mask 1302can be formed at step 908 with a thickness 1312 conducive to performingsteps 910, 912. After performing steps 910, 912, the thickness 1312 canbe reduced to the desired thickness 402 (see FIG. 4) of the border 210.

At step 910, the process 900 can form, through the openings in the maskat the transistor sites, base doped regions in the collector dopedlayer. FIG. 14 shows an example in which a base doped region 1402 isformed in the collector doped layer 1102 at a transistor site 1206.Parameters of the doping process can be controlled so that the depth1414 of the base doped region 1402 from the surface 1006 of thesubstrate 1000 into the collector layer 1102 is the sum of the desireddimensions 430, 434 illustrated in FIG. 4. Similarly, parameters of thedoping process can be controlled so that the under lap 1412 of the basedoped region 1402 under the mask 1302 is the sum of the desireddimensions 410, 404 illustrated in FIG. 4. The doping at step 910 can bewith any of the materials and in accordance with any of the parametersidentified above for the base regions 230 of a transistor structure 206.

At step 912, the process 900 can form, through the openings in the maskat the transistor sites, emitter doped regions in the base doped regionsformed at step 910. FIG. 15 illustrates an example in which an emitterdoped region 1502 is formed in a base doped region 1402. Parameters ofthe doping process can be controlled so that the depth 1514 of theemitter doped region 1502 from the surface 1006 of the substrate 1000into the base doped region 1402 is the desired dimension 434 illustratedin FIG. 4. Similarly, parameters of the doping process can be controlledso that the under lap 1512 of the emitter doped region 1502 under themask 1302 is the desired dimension 404 illustrated in FIG. 4. The dopingat step 912 can be with any of the materials and in accordance with anyof the parameters identified above for the emitter regions 240 of atransistor structure 206.

At step 914, the border 210 can be provided. As noted, the mask 1302 canbe utilized as the border 210, in which case the mask 1302 can bemodified as desired and left in place to be the border 210. Otherwise,the mask 1302 can be removed as part of step 914 and the border 210 canbe formed on the outer surface 1006 of the substrate.

FIG. 16 illustrates a transistor structure 206 (see FIGS. 2-4) formed atone of the transistor sites 1206 as a result of the process 900. Thefilled trenches 1202 are barriers 212. The doped support layer 1002 isthe support layer 204. The collector doped layer 1102 between filledtrenches 1202 less the base doped region 1402 and the emitter dopedregion 1502 is the collector region 220. The base doped region 1402 lessthe emitter doped region 1502 is the base region 230, and the emitterdoped region 1502 is the emitter region 240. FIGS. 10-16 illustrate onlyone of the many transistor sites 1206 at which transistor structures 206can be formed in the substrate 1000 by the process 900. Thus, many suchtransistor structures 206 can be formed on the substrate 1000 by theprocess 900. For example, a plurality of transistor structures 206 canbe formed adjacent to one another, e.g., in a rank and file array, onthe substrate 1000 by the process 900.

Although specific embodiments and applications of the invention havebeen described in this specification, these embodiments and applicationsare exemplary only, and many variations are possible.

We claim:
 1. A microfluidic device, comprising: an enclosure having amicrofluidic structure and a base, wherein the base comprises a commonelectrical conductor, wherein the microfluidic structure and an outersurface of the base together define a flow path within the enclosure,and wherein the base comprises an array of transistor structures, eachsaid transistor structure in the array comprising a lateral bipolartransistor connecting a corresponding region of the outer surface of thebase to the common conductor, wherein each said transistor structure inthe array comprises a collector region, a base region, and an emitterregion, wherein the base region surrounds the emitter region, whereinthe collector region surrounds the base region, wherein the base regionhas a lateral width that is between about 10 nm and about 400 nm,wherein each said transistor structure in the array is physicallyseparated from adjacent transistor structures in the array by trenches,and wherein an electrically insulative material is disposed in thetrenches.
 2. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein lateral widthof the base region is between about 200 nm and about 300 nm.
 3. Themicrofluidic device of claim 1, wherein the base region has a verticalthickness equal to or greater than the lateral width of the base regionand the collector region has a vertical thickness equal to or greaterthan a lateral width of the collector region.
 4. The microfluidic deviceof claim 3, wherein the vertical thickness of the base region is abouttwo to four times greater than the lateral width of the base region andthe vertical thickness of the collector region is about two to ten timesgreater than the lateral width of the collector region.
 5. Themicrofluidic device of claim 3, wherein the vertical thickness of thebase region is about three to four times greater than the lateral widthof the base region and the vertical thickness of the collector region isabout four to eight times greater than the lateral width of thecollector region.
 6. The microfluidic device of claim 3, wherein thevertical thickness of the base region is about 3.5 times greater thanthe lateral width of the base region and the vertical thickness of thecollector region is about six times greater than the lateral width ofthe collector region.
 7. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein thebase region comprises a p-type dopant and the collector and emitterregions each comprise an n-type dopant.
 8. The microfluidic device ofclaim 1, wherein the common conductor comprises an N+ semiconductorsubstrate upon which the array of transistor structures rests.
 9. Themicrofluidic device of claim 8, wherein the N+ semiconductor substratehas a resistivity of about 0.025 ohm-cm to about 0.050 ohm-cm.
 10. Themicrofluidic device of claim 1, wherein the collector region has alateral width that is between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm.
 11. Themicrofluidic device of claim 1, wherein the collector region has alateral width that is between about 600 nm and about 750 nm.
 12. Themicrofluidic device of claim 1, wherein the collector region has aresistivity of about 5 ohm-cm to about 10 ohm-cm.
 13. The microfluidicdevice of claim 1, wherein a vertical thickness of the emitter region isabout 10 nm to about 500 nm, wherein a vertical thickness of the baseregion is about 6 to 12 times greater than the vertical thickness of theemitter region, and wherein a vertical thickness of the collector regionis about 3 to 6 times greater than the vertical thickness of the baseregion.
 14. The microfluidic device of claim 13, wherein the verticalthickness of the emitter region is about 50 nm to about 150 nm.
 15. Themicrofluidic device of claim 1, wherein a pitch of the transistorstructures of the array is about 1000 nm to about 20,000 nm.
 16. Themicrofluidic device of claim 1, wherein a vertical depth of the trenchis at least 10% greater than a combined vertical depth of the collector,base, and emitter regions.
 17. The microfluidic device of claim 1,wherein a vertical depth of the trench is about 2,000 nm to about 11,000nm and a lateral width of the trench is about 100 nm to about 1000 nm.18. The microfluidic device of claim 1, further comprising a dielectricborder disposed on the outer surface of the base between adjacent pairsof the transistor structures of the array, wherein the border overlays aperimeter portion of the emitter region of each said transistorstructure of the array but comprises windows exposing an interiorportion of the emitter region.
 19. The microfluidic device of claim 18,wherein a vertical thickness of the border is about 750 nm to about2,000 nm.
 20. The microfluidic device of claim 18, wherein thedielectric border overlays the perimeter portion of the emitter regionby about 10 nm to about 200 nm.
 21. The microfluidic device of claim 1,wherein the microfluidic structure and the base together further definea holding pen, and wherein the holding pen is connected to the flowpath.
 22. The microfluidic device of claim 21, wherein the flow pathcomprises a fluidic channel, and wherein the holding pen is connected tothe fluidic channel.
 23. The microfluidic device of claim 1, wherein:the transistor structures of the array connect different regions of theouter surface of the base to the common conductor, and the regions ofthe outer surface of the base are disposed to contact directly fluidicmedium in the flow path.
 24. The microfluidic device of claim 23,further comprising a biasing electrode, wherein the flow path isdisposed between the biasing electrode and the common electricalconductor of the base.
 25. The microfluidic device of claim 1, whereinthe common conductor comprises an N+ semiconductor substrate upon whichthe array of transistor structures rests.
 26. The microfluidic device ofclaim 25, wherein the N+ semiconductor substrate has a resistivity ofabout 0.025 ohm-cm to about 0.050 ohm-cm.
 27. The microfluidic device ofclaim 1, wherein a pitch of the transistor structures of the array isabout 1000 nm to about 20,000 nm.
 28. The microfluidic device of claim1, wherein the microfluidic structure and the base together furtherdefine a holding pen, and wherein the holding pen is connected to theflow path.
 29. The microfluidic device of claim 28, wherein the flowpath comprises a fluidic channel, and wherein the holding pen isconnected to the fluidic channel.
 30. The microfluidic device of claim1, wherein: the transistor structures of the array connect differentregions of the outer surface of the base to the common conductor, andthe regions of the outer surface of the base are disposed to contactdirectly fluidic medium in the flow path.
 31. The microfluidic device ofclaim 30, further comprising a biasing electrode, wherein the flow pathis disposed between the biasing electrode and the common electricalconductor of the base.